Languages in Tajikistan

Tajik is the state language of Tajikistan. Education generally uses Tajik, although the law permits other teaching languages, and the Education Law provides for language choice and minority-language education in densely populated areas when local capacity allows it. Learning the state language is required across the education system. Russian has strong practical value for communication between ethnic groups, university study and labour migration, especially to Russia. English is used more often for international communication, higher education, technology and specialised work. Uzbek and other minority languages remain relevant in particular regions and institutions, while German, French and Arabic are usually learned for selective university, examination or career purposes. People learn languages through schools, universities, vocational education, adult education, state additional-education programmes, private language centres, seminars, individual lessons, self-study and digital materials. Tajikistan has no single nationwide language-school system or universal course pathway. Providers usually decide admission, placement tests and available places, and regional access differs considerably. Dushanbe offers stronger access to private courses and examinations than many other areas, but internet access, devices and local resources affect digital learning outside major centres. The State Programme for improving the teaching and learning of Russian and English runs to 2030 under Government Resolution No. 438 of 30 August 2019. Its implementation involves the Ministry of Education and Science and annual reporting, while public and private educational institutions and language centres provide much of the actual teaching. Many courses use the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages, known as CEFR, which groups ability into A1 and A2 basic, B1 and B2 intermediate, and C1 and C2 advanced levels. A commonly cited course structure is 72 hours over three months for A1, 144 hours over six months for A2, 216 hours over nine months for B1 and 432 hours over 18 months for B2. These figures describe a course framework rather than a universal national timetable. State education may be funded according to the programme and institution. Additional education and private courses are normally governed by a contract, with the provider setting the fee. No nationwide language-course tariff is established. An IELTS test centre operates in Dushanbe; the cited computer-based Academic or General test price is 2,150 TJS, but fees can change. A general state CEFR certificate for people learning independently is not established in the available evidence. The National Testing Center, commonly identified by the local abbreviation ИМД, conducts the 2026 admission examination in Tajik or Russian. For clusters 2, 3 and 4, candidates can choose a foreign-language subtest in English, German, French or Arabic. The centre publishes sample tests and open short-answer items. These admission examinations should not be confused with a general certificate issued to every language learner. Children may study Tajik alongside Russian, Uzbek, Kyrgyz, Turkmen or English when the school or institution has sufficient pupils, classes, teachers and materials. Minority-language education therefore depends on enrolment, staffing, resources and region. The Маърифат digital library, supported by the Ministry and the national information and communications technology centre, provides textbooks, documents, multimedia, e-books, video, audio, interactive exercises, dictionaries and pronunciation materials. QR codes in some textbooks link to these resources, but their practical usefulness depends on internet access and suitable devices.